Jesus, The Revelation of God

Throughout history, humanity has sought to know God. The question of God's identity and nature has been asked countless times, echoing the words of Philip to Jesus: "Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us" (John 14:8).

 

In this request lies the universal desire to see, know, and understand God. Jesus's response to Philip stands as one of the most profound statements in Scripture: "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).

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What does this mean? How can Jesus claim to be the visible representation of God? To answer, we must explore the Bible’s overarching story—a divine tapestry woven through Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment.

 

In this journey, we’ll see how Jesus is revealed as both God and the exact representation of His being.

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The Revelation of God’s Name

In the Old Testament, God’s self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush carries profound significance. When Moses asks for God’s name, God responds, “I AM WHO I AM... Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). This declaration, rendered as YHWH. The Hebrew phrase for "I AM" is “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה), which can also be translated as "I will be who I will be." This name emphasizes God’s eternal, self-existent nature—one who is unchanging, ever-present, and sovereign over all creation. It reflects God’s promise to be with His people and His unshakable faithfulness across time and circumstances.

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In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly connects Himself to this divine name, most notably in John 8:58 when He declares, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” This statement is unmistakable in its intent, as Jesus adopts the divine name given in Exodus, affirming His eternal existence and equality with the God of the Old Testament. This claim caused an immediate uproar. The religious leaders understood what Jesus was saying: He was identifying Himself with YHWH, the God of Israel. They considered this blasphemy because Jesus, a man, was claiming equality with God. Yet, this was not the only instance. In John’s Gospel, Jesus repeatedly uses "I AM" statements—“I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), "I am the Alpha and the Omega" (Revelation 1:8) and so forth. Each declaration reveals an aspect of His divine nature and His role in God’s redemptive plan.

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The continuity between God’s self-identification as “I Will Be” in the Old Testament and Jesus's claim of “I AM” in the New Testament establishes Jesus not only as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies but also as the embodiment of the same eternal, self-existent God who spoke to Moses. This connection demonstrates that Jesus is both the God who reveals Himself in history and the Savior who enters creation to redeem it.

 

The name "I AM" is more than a title—it is a declaration of God’s active presence and sovereignty. This divine name resounds throughout the Old Testament, reminding Israel that their God is not distant but ever-present, faithful, and unchanging.

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Jesus as the Exact Representation of God

The New Testament emphasizes that Jesus is not merely a reflection of God but the exact imprint of His nature. Hebrews 1:3 states: "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.".

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Here, the writer of Hebrews portrays Jesus as the visible and tangible expression of God. This aligns with Paul’s declaration in Colossians 1:15: "The Son is the image of the invisible God." What was veiled in the Old Testament—God’s presence seen in fire, cloud, or visions—is fully revealed in Jesus. He makes the invisible visible, showing humanity what God is truly like in His love, holiness, and power.

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Prophetic Foundations in the Scriptures

The Bible consistently points forward to a Savior who would be both human and divine. The Old Testament lays the foundation with prophecies about the coming Messiah, and the New Testament confirms their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

 

Together, these Scriptures highlight His divine nature:

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Old Testament Prophecies

1. Isaiah 9:6 proclaims:
   "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This prophecy reveals that the Messiah would embody divine titles, establishing Him as God in the flesh.

2. Micah 5:2 foretells:
   "But you, Bethlehem... out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." The Messiah’s eternal origins align with Jesus's claim of preexistence in John 8:58, where He declares, "Before Abraham was, I AM."

3. Psalm 110:1 declares:
   "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" Jesus cites this verse in Matthew 22:41-45 to affirm His divine authority as both David’s descendant and David’s Lord, emphasizing His dual nature as man and God.

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New Testament Affirmations

1. John 1:1-3, 14:
   "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." These verses confirm Jesus as the eternal Word of God who became flesh, fulfilling the Old Testament’s promise of God dwelling with His people (Isaiah 7:14).

2. Philippians 2:6-7:
   "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." This passage underscores Jesus's divine identity and His willingness to humble Himself in human form, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering Servant in Isaiah 53.

3. Revelation 1:8, 22:13:
   "I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13). These declarations by Jesus assert His eternal existence and divine authority as the One who encompasses all of history—from creation to consummation. "Alpha" and "Omega," the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signify that Jesus is both the origin and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, aligning with His claim in John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I AM.". This echoes God’s self-revelation in Isaiah 41:4, "I, the LORD—with the first of them and with the last—I am He," and reinforces Jesus's identity as God.

4. Revelation 19:16:
   "On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." This majestic title affirms Jesus's ultimate divine authority and kingship, fulfilling the messianic hope described in Psalm 2:6-8, where the Lord’s Anointed is declared ruler over all nations.

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Jesus Fulfills the Old Testament Types

In the Old Testament, God dwelled among His people through the Tabernacle and later the Temple. These structures symbolized God's presence but were limited in scope, requiring priests, sacrifices, and rituals to mediate between God and humanity. These were mere shadows of a greater reality to come. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills and replaces these symbols, becoming the ultimate manifestation of God’s presence. When Jesus declared, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19-21), referring to His body, He revealed Himself as the true Temple—the dwelling place of God on earth. In Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical building but fully realized in His person, bridging the gap between humanity and divinity. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus becomes the eternal meeting place where humanity can encounter God directly. This profound truth aligns with His role as the Suffering Servant described in Isaiah 53, who bore humanity’s sins: “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). His sacrificial death restored the broken relationship between humanity and God, fulfilling prophecy and establishing the foundation of the Church. When Peter acknowledged Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus proclaimed, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). This declaration underscores that Jesus’s identity as God incarnate and His victory over sin and death secure the Church’s eternal foundation, making it an unshakable refuge for those who recognize Him as Lord.

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Beyond this, Jesus also embodies the sacrificial system itself. As the Lamb of God (John 1:29), He offers Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. Unlike the repetitive offerings in the Old Testament, which could only cover sin temporarily, Jesus's sacrifice is once for all (Hebrews 10:10). His blood cleanses completely, fulfilling the law’s demands and inaugurating a new covenant of grace. Furthermore, Jesus fulfills the roles of the High Priest and Mediator. As Hebrews 4:14-16 explains, He is the great High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses and provides direct access to the Father. Unlike earthly priests, who were themselves flawed and temporary, Jesus's priesthood is eternal and perfect. He not only offers the sacrifice but is Himself the sacrifice, fully embodying the reconciliation between God and humanity.

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Through these fulfillment's, Jesus completes and surpasses all Old Testament types and foreshadows. In Him, every promise and symbol finds its ultimate meaning. He is the true Temple, the Suffering Servant, the perfect Sacrifice, and the eternal High Priest. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection transform these ancient shadows into the living reality of God’s plan for redemption, drawing all who believe into His presence forever.

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The Oneness of the Father and Son

In John 10:30, Jesus declares: "I and the Father are one."

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This unity does not mean Jesus and the Father are the same person but rather that they are one in essence and purpose. Jesus perfectly reveals the Father’s will and character, as seen in John 14:9: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

 

This profound truth answers Philip’s request to see the Father. To know Jesus is to know God. To hear His words, see His actions, and understand His heart is to witness the nature of the Father Himself.

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Divine Authority and Mission

Jesus’s actions further confirm His divinity. In Mark 2:5-7, He forgives sins, prompting the Pharisees to ask: "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" By forgiving sins, calming storms, and accepting worship, Jesus demonstrates authority that belongs to God alone (Matthew 14:33).

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His mission to bring salvation fulfills Old Testament hopes for a divine Savior who would dwell among His people. This is captured in Isaiah 7:14: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (which means 'God with us').

 

In Jesus, God’s presence is no longer distant but intimately near, walking among humanity in the most personal way. No longer confined to the Holy of Holies or mediated through priests, God’s love and redemption are now accessible to all through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. He is "Immanuel" in every sense—God living with His people, sharing in their struggles, healing their wounds, and ultimately offering Himself as the sacrifice for their sins. Through Jesus, the infinite God enters the finite world, bridging the gap between heaven and earth and fulfilling the deepest longing of humanity to know and be known by their Creator. His life not only fulfills prophecy but transforms how we understand and experience God's presence—direct, personal, and eternal.

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The Fulfillment of All Things

As we reflect on Philip’s question, we find the answer in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. To see Him is to see the Father. To know Him is to know the eternal, unchanging God who is both “I AM” and “God with us.”.

 

1 Timothy 3:16 declares, “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”

 

This verse encapsulates the profound mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man in Jesus Christ. It affirms that Jesus, who “appeared in the flesh,” is the manifestation of God’s presence, fulfilling the Old Testament’s anticipation of Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). His vindication by the Spirit through His resurrection proves His divine identity (Romans 1:4), aligning with His claims as the “I AM” (John 8:58) and the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). This passage bridges the prophetic anticipation of the Old Testament with the New Testament fulfillment, illustrating the mystery of God made visible in Jesus for the salvation of all humanity.

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Conclusion

Don’t fall for the trap posed by the question, “Where does Jesus explicitly say, ‘I am God’ in the Bible?” This question is often designed to corner someone into a "gotcha" moment, as if the absence of those exact words proves a lack of divinity. However, this approach completely misses the profound way Jesus revealed His divine identity. Rather than offering a simplistic, surface-level statement, Jesus consistently revealed Himself through His teachings, actions, and fulfillment of prophecy, requiring spiritual discernment to truly understand His nature.

 

When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15), He was not merely seeking an opinion but inviting a personal acknowledgment of His divine identity. Recognizing Him as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” as Peter did, forms the foundation of true faith and distinguishes Christianity from other belief systems. He further emphasized the Father’s work through Him, declaring, “The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work” (John 14:10). When Philip expressed a universal yearning to see God, Jesus responded, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Through His words, deeds, parables, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy Jesus made claims that were unmistakably divine to those willing to listen and understand. Simply inviting those with open hearts to recognize Him as God incarnate. He declared, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58), directly connecting Himself to the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. His miracles demonstrated authority belonging solely to God: He forgave sins (Mark 2:5-7), calmed the storm with a command (Mark 4:39-41), multiplied loaves and fish to feed thousands (Matthew 14:19-21), walked on water (Matthew 14:25-27), and raised the dead, including Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:41-42), the widow’s son (Luke 7:14-15), and Lazarus, who emerged from the tomb after four days (John 11:43-44). The Gospel of John concludes with the affirmation that Jesus did countless other things, stating, “If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

Jesus’s fulfillment of prophecy, combined with His words and actions, left no doubt that He was revealing Himself as God in human form. Yet, He presented this truth in a way that required faith and an open heart to fully comprehend. This foundational truth distinguishes Christianity from beliefs like Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness teachings, Islam, and Hinduism, which either deny Jesus’s full divinity or redefine who He claimed to be. Christianity uniquely proclaims Jesus as God incarnate, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the sole source of salvation by grace through faith.

Unlike systems that emphasize earning righteousness through personal actions, Christianity proclaims salvation as a free gift of grace through faith in the finished work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

While salvation is not earned by our efforts, living by faith calls us to abide in Christ's teachings, follow His example, and bear the fruit of our faith in our lives, as emphasized throughout the New Testament. This understanding enables us to discern teachings that align with Scripture from those rooted in human ideology and created religions. Jesus's claim to be God incarnate demands a response, challenging individuals to evaluate their faith not by personal interpretations but by the truth revealed in Him.

Ultimately, Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be and what was prophesied: God dwelling among us. With this understanding, we are called to respond in faith, trusting Him fully, aligning our lives with His teachings, and sharing His truth with others. This revelation is not merely intellectual knowledge but a transformative truth. As Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This truth invites us to worship Him as Lord, deepen our relationship with Him, and live as witnesses to His love and divinity.

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